• Menopausal stage per se does not influence resting and postprandial energy metabolism • Movement behaviors and body composition may help regulate resting energy metabolism • Follicle stimulating hormone is negatively associated with postprandial fat oxidation Menopausal stage per se does not influence resting and postprandial energy metabolism Movement behaviors and body composition may help regulate resting energy metabolism Follicle stimulating hormone is negatively associated with postprandial fat oxidation The influence of perimenopause on changes in resting and postprandial energy metabolism remains unclear. The main objective of the present study was to compare energy metabolism in resting and postprandial states between pre, peri and postmenopausal women, in considering the individual’s body composition characteristics and movement behaviors. Twenty-one premenopausal women (38.9 ± 5.0 years), twenty-two perimenopausal women (49.5 ± 3.8 years) and twenty-one postmenopausal women (55.4 ± 3.7 years) were included in the analyses. Body composition (fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM)) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and movement behaviors by accelerometry. Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry at rest (20 minutes) and postprandially 3h after a calibrated and balanced meal, expressed in absolute terms and relative to FFM. The thermic effect of food (TEF) was calculated. There were no significant differences in resting and postprandial energy metabolism based on menopausal status. TEF was significantly higher in peri compared to premenopausal women (p=0.03), but no other differences were observed between groups. Significant and positive correlations were found between FFM, energy expenditure and substrate use both at rest and postprandially (from p=0.049 to p<0.001). Postmenopausal women displayed an altered cardiometabolic profile compared to pre and perimenopausal women (p<0.001). When they have similar body composition and movement behaviours, perimenopausal women do not exhibit differences in resting or postprandial energy metabolism compared to pre and postmenopausal women.
Marcantei et al. (Sun,) studied this question.